Machine for automatically treating poultry



Oct. 16, 1934. A. w.BRUcE MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY TREATING POULTRY Original Filed Oct. 4,1935 2 Sheets-Sheet DEMYIHG TAALE .smc/f summa warm MACH/E CO0LER DEWAXINH' TABLE A. W. BRUCE MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY TREATING POULTRY- Oct. 16, 1934.

' Original Filed Oct. 4,' 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet LURRENT zo zz 3 3x33 Maffay/.f

i Patented Oct. 16, 1934 UNTED STATES Lisi i! ECE MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALILY TREKKING POULTRY Albert W. Bruce, Ottumwa, Iowa 12 Claims.

My present invention relates to a machine for automatically treating poultry.

This is a divisional application, the parent application being Serial No. 692,117, led October 4, 1933, which issued on May 22, 1934, as

Patent No. 1,960,048.

More particularly, it is my purpose to provide a machine for coating partially plucked poultry with wax or adhesive material, which may subsequently be removed for carrying with it feathers, down, hair and extraneous material from the poultry.

It is my purpose in this connection to provide a machine, preferably including a conveyor on 1.5 which the poultry may be supported and to provide means whereby at a certain point in. the path of travel of the individual fowl, it may be coated with the wax or adhesive material. It is mypurpose to provide in sucha machine a number of novel features of construction and certain controls, which will hereinafter be more fully described. Another object of my invention is to provide a method /for treating poultry, including the 2.5 steps of slack scalding poultry, rough pickingthem, ldrying them, supporting them YWith their feet and heads above their bodies, subjecting their bodies, except their feet and heads to a' invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my machine and in amethod for automatically treating poultry, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims,` and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view illustrating' an installation including my machine. Figure 2 is a front elevation oi' one o the waxing tanks and a tempering tank, parts being: broken away and parts being shown in section. Figure 3 is a side elevation of theA waxing tank, parts being shown in section.

Figure 4 is a horizontal, sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 3, parts being shown veyed to the tempering tank H, where the Wax in section and the tank proper being omitted for the better showing of the other parts.

Figure 5 is a detailed, sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a detailed, sectional View taken on 60 the line 6-6 of Figure 4, illustrating the clutch cam.

Figure 7 is a diagranmiatic view illustrating the controls for the tempering tank.

Figure 7A is a diagram illustrating the circuit 65 for the clutch controlling solenoid.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of my invention: and

Figure 9 is a detailed, sectional view taken on the line 949 of Figure 3. Y 7@ By referring to Figure i, the general arrangement -oi my machine and its relation to the general environment in which it is installed, may be briefly described.

I have used the reference numeral 10 to indi 5'5 cate an endless conveyor in the form of a chain or otherwise on which the fowls are carried from the point Where they are hung to the various operative mechanisms.

The fowls 10a are preferably hung on the endn 8@ less conveyer by means of shackles, which in themselves form no part of my present invention. They are supported by their feet and are killed at about the point indicated at A in Figure i. I

They then pass to a slack scalding machine 1i, where they are semi-scalded. From the machine ll, they pass to the point B, and at about that point, they are rough-picked. They then `pass into a cooling chamber C where they are cooled and It is important that the fowls should be dried, and cooled to some extent, 'be- `fore they are subjected to the melted w n".

I might say that the Wax is a composition and its particular ingredients are not here important, but for convenience in description, li shall cali the composition wax,

From the dryer, the fowls pass to a machine or machines D for giving them the wax coating, and then they are immediately passed through a cooler E from which they go to the cie-waxing or picking tables F, where the wax coating, toe gether with hair, down, feathers and su on are retrieved.

At Gr, 3i havev shown the reclaiming tank in which the wax is separated from the dirt and feathers and sc on.

From the tank G, the reclaimed wax is con iet is heated and maintained at a xed predetermined temperature.

I shall now describe in greater detail the waxing tank D and shall then refer further to the tempering tank.

y Waxing mechanism In Figures 2 and 3, I have shown a preferred form in which my waxing tank may be embodied. This tank structure includes a frame, comprising four corner posts 12, preferably having the form ofangle bars. Near the lower ends of the posts, they' are connected by suitable cross brace members 13. At thetop of the frame, the respective pairs of side posts are connected by the side frame members 14.

Slidably mounted to travel up and down on the frame members 12 is the wax containing Ytank 15. This may be mounted in any suitable way for sliding. As shown, I have illustrated the tank 15 provided with the arms 16 projecting from the cornersand having the rollers 17 to slide in the corner posts 12. y(See Figures 3 and 5.)

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the fowls travel along the ending operation. 'Ihis is in order to avoid getting p wax on the heads and feet." I have shown in the drawings two ways in which the fowls may be thus supported (see Figure 8). I preferably hang the fowls as indicated at Z in Figure 8 with their backs up. The reason for this is that when the head is lowered later on inthe practice of the process the wax cracksbetter and can be more easily removed. f

The tank 15 is raised from the position sho in full lines in Figure 2 to the position shown in dotted lines in thatr figure for effecting the waxing operation.

' I shall now describe the mechanism for raising the tank.

Supported on theY forward side of each waxing tank D is a motor 18. Below the motor 18, there is mounted a suitable transverse shaft 19. 0n one end ofthe shaft19 is a pulley 20 which is aligned with the pulley 21 on the motor shaft and operated therefrom by means of a belt 22. Parallel with the shaft 19 and somewhat rearwardlyr thereof, a shaft 23 is journaled on the frame members 13 (Figure 4). On the opposite end of the shaft 19 fromthe belt pulley 20 is a pinion 24 in mesh with al gear 25 on the shaft 23. Arranged rearwardly with relation to the shaft 23 is a parallel shaft 26 suitably journaled on the frame members 13.

On the end of the shaft 23 opposite the gear 25 is fixed a pinion 27, which meshes with a gear 28 rotatably but nonslidably mounted on the shaft 26. Formed on the gear 28 is a clutch member 29. A. clutch member 30 is slidably but nonrotatably mounted on the shaft 26 and is tensioned toward the clutch member 29 by means of a spring 31. Onthe shaft 26 outside the frame of the waxing tank is fixed an arm 32, shown in full lines in one position in Figure 33 which extends upwardly and ispivoted to the tank 15.

It will be seen that when the gear 28 is rotated, the arm 32 and link 33 will cause the tank 15 to be alternately raised and lowered.

' On a frame member 14 is mounted the bracket 34, which carries the sprocket wheel or the like 35. A chain 36 issecured to the side of the tank 15 and is trained over the sprocket 35 and supports the counterweight 37 for counterbalancing the tank 15.

It will be obvious that the structure here shown is illustrative only and that counterweights or counterbalancing springs could be used on both sides of the tank and that mechanism such for instance as that comprised in the gear 28, the arm 32 and link 33 could be duplicated on opposite sides of the tank if that were desirable. It will be observed that when the device is in operation,.the motor will be running and will impart continuous rotation to the gear 28.

For controlling the clutch member 30, so that it will be moved into cooperative relation with the clutch member 29 at the proper time in the passage of the fowl, I have provided the following means: l

Chains 38 hang from the conveyor 10 and support the shackles 38a. Suitably' supported in the path of the chains 38 from which the fowls are supported by means of the shackles 38a mentionedfand at proper points, are the pivoted switch arms 39. It is, of course, obvious that these switch arms may be located where desired and that the waxing tanks are readily portable.

When a particular, chain yreaches position where the fowl hangs above the waxing tank D, the chain 38 swings the switch arm 39 (see Figures 2 and 7A) to switch closing position.

It may perhaps be here mentioned that as the chain continues to travel, it soon slides past the switch arm 39, which is thereupon pulled to circuit breaking-position by means of the spring 40. When the switch arm is actuated for closing the circuit in thel manner just indicated. the circuit is closed through a solenoid 41. (Figures 4 and 7A.) pivotal connection at 43 with one end of the lever 44, the other end of which is pivoted at l45. (Figure 4.)

Supported on a bracket 46 is a tubular casing loose pivotal connection to the lever 44 at 49. Fixed to the rod 48 within the casing 47 is a washer. or the like 50. A spring 51 bears against the washer 50 and against the oppositel end of the casing 47 with the effect of normally tend? ing to pull the solenoid core 42 outwardly.

When the solenoid is energized and the core is pulled in, the lever 44 is actuated to compress the spring 51 and pull the rod 48 from its position shown in Figure 4 toward the right.

The clutch member 30 carries a. projecting cam plate V52. (Figures 4 and 6.) When the shaft 26- is rotated, thereby rotating the clutch member 30, and the rod 48 is in its left-hand position, the cam plate 52 engages the projecting left end of the rod 48, and in the further rotation of the clutch member, the rod 48 travels along the face oi.w the cam 52 and thus shoves the clutch member from the position a of Figure 4 to position b thereof, against the tension of the spring 31 for declutching the mechanism.

'I'he parts -then remain in such position until the appropriate chain or the like `actuates the 'I'he core 42 of the solenoid has a 47 through which'shdes the rod 4a, which has a switch' arm 39 for closing the circuit) through the 150 maratea solenoid 4l. Thereupon the core 112 is pulled inwardly for pulling the arm-48 (Figure 4l) to the right and withdrawing the left-hand end of the said arm from engagement with lthe cam plate 52. r

'I'he spring 31 then forces the clutch member 30 into engagement with the clutch .member 29 and the rotation of the gear 28 acting through the clutch members imparts one full'rotation to the shaft 26. The rotation of that shaft through the media of the arm 32 and link 33 raises the tank 15 from full .line positions-shown in Figures 2 and 3 to.` dotted line position shown in Figure 2,- ror immersing a -fowl' in the wax bath,

and then lowers the tank.l- In the meanwhile the chain will have cleared the switch arm 39 and the spring 40' will have broken thecircuit (Figure 7A) and the spring 51 will have actuated the rod 48 for projecting theA end of the rod 48 into the path of the cam 52 and for simultaneously withdrawing the core 42. 1 l

After one cycle or rotation of the shaft 26, the cam plate 52 will engage the Vrod 48 and be moved to declutching position. The'fowl moves on to the next waxing tank and is again treated to a waxing operation. With some wax, it is diflicult to get enough wax on the fowl at one dipping. With other wax, one dipping-is enough.

The fowls are automatically conveyed from the waxing tank to and through the cooler. I may f provide fans 53 or other means for blowing cold air on the fowls for giving the initial set to the wax coating asquickly :as 'possible'after the fowls leave the wax bath. i

It will be understood that there is a constant flow of wax. from thel tempering tank .to each V Tem'pen'ng tank In Figures 2 and 7, I have illustrated a temperingtank H having a steam and water jacket 54. The outer wall is also heat insulated in any suitable way. n I

In the tempering 'tank is a pump 55 operated from a motor 56 by means of a shaft 57, which extends through the pump and has onlits lower end in the lower `part of the tempering tank an agitator 58.

The wax is pumped from the'tank H through the heat insulated pipe 59 to the down-turned pipe 60 extending into 4the top of 'the tankV l5.

' l' The pipe 60 is so arranged that it discharges into the upper part of the tank 15 when the latter is in lowered position and is substantially received within the tank 15 when thek latter is is such as to maintain the wax in the waxing tank at the level of the outlet pipe 61 regardless of the amount of wax used by the fowls.

'The temperature ofthe wax in the tempering tank is maintained Within predetermined limits, and I thereby maintain the liquidity of the wax in the tank l5.

I provide the following mechanism for controlling the temperature of the tempering tank H.

The steam and water jacket of the tempering tank has a-bleeder tube 55', which may have an automatic control valve 56'. Connected with the water jacket is a steam supply pipe 57 and a water supply pipe 58'.

In the tank H is a temperature sensitive bulb 59.

The parts are so arranged that when the temperature of the wax in the tank goes below a predetermined degree, steam is supplied to the water and steam jacket and when the temperature goes above a certain degree, water is supplied to the jacket. The bulb 59 is connected by means of a tube 60' with an ordinary expansion bellows 6l. Above the bellows is pivoted a switch control lever 62 with which the'bellows 61' is operatively connected by means of a rod 63. A spring 64' helps to normally hold the switch lever 62 in normal control position.

A switchl supporting block 65 is` centrally pivoted and has supported on it the switches 66 and 105 67 of the ordinary mercury type.

The lever 62 is operatively connected with the block 65, so as to rock it when the lever is moved upwardly or downwardly from its neutral position.4 For example, if the temperature of the 110 wax goes below the predetermined point, the bellows will contract and thus swing the lever 62' downwardly for rocking the block 65 and causing the switch 66 to close a circuit.

The current supply wires are indicated at 68 115 and 69. One of them is connected by a wire 70 with the switch 66 and by a wire 71 with the switch 67. From the other contact of the switch 66 extends a wire 72 to a solenoid 73. The wire 69 also extends to the solenoid 73. The core of 120 the solenoid 73 controls a valve 74 in the branch 75 connected with the water pressure pipe 76. The valve 74 is normally seated, but when the solenoid 73 is energized, the valve 74 is opened for permitting water to flow into the ordinary pressure valve 77. The pressure valve 77 is normally closed but when the water is supplied to `it under pressure, it is opened. The valve 77 controls flow through the steam supply pipe 57'. 'Ihe valve 77 is of the ordinary well-known construction.

As soon as the temperature of the wax reaches the desired point, the bellows 61" will expand and restore the lever 62' to normal position, thus rocking the block 65 and switch 66 for breaking the circuit through the solenoid 73.

The valve 74 then closes and no additional pressure is supplied to the valve 77. At 78 is a leakage valve, which when the valve 74 is closed, permits the water to flow from the valve 77 into the steam pipe 5,7', and thus reduces the pressure on the valve 77, whereupon the valve 77 closes.

Sometimes the temperature of the wax in the tank H gets too high, because of the heat of the wax owing in from the reclaiming tank. The wax in the reclaiming tank must be at a considerably higher heat than that desired for the Wax in the tempering tank. If the wax in the. tempering tank H gets too hot, the bellows 61' 150 -Valve 77 controlling the ow through the water pipe 58'. The leakage valve 83 functions in a way similar to that of the leakage valve 78.

With the wax which I now use, the temperature of the wax in the tempering tank is maintained at close to 118 F.

The constant ow of wax between the teinpering tank and the waxing tank keepsl the` temperature in the waxing tank uniform. This tank has heat insulated walls, and may be heated electrically or otherwise if desired.

Modified form In Egures 8 and 9, I have shown a slightly modined form of my device. In the modified form, I employ a waxing tank 84 with insulated walls. I provide also a section of guiding track indicated at 85. II'his is a slotted track as indicated in Figure 9.

The fowls are supported on chains 86 from the conveyor 87. The chains are provided with disc-like buttons 88a.

As the fowls' approach the tank 84, the track section 85 rises as indicated and the fowls are drawn along until they reach a portion of the track 85, indicated at 88, which is hinged' at .89 for permitting the hinged track portion 88 to drop.

For permitting the fowls to be dropped into the wax in the tank 84, I provide the following means:

Supported in operative relation to the tank 84 is a motor 90. Spaced from the motor 90 is a shaft 91 on which is rotatably but non-slidably mounted the pulley 92, which is operated by means of a belt 92 from the motor pulley 94. On the pulley 93 is an arm 95, which is connected by a rod 96 with the hinged track portion 88.

Suitably supported in the path of the moving chains 86 is a switch 97, which is preferably similar in structure and functioning to the switch 39. The switch 97 closes a circuit similar to that heretofore described and shown in Figure 7A for cooperating with clutch mechanism on the shaft 91 similar to that already described for the shaft 26.

When the shaft 97 is operated for closing the circuit, one rotation is imparted to the shaft 91, whereby the section 88is lowered to its dotted line position shown in Figure 8 for immersing the fowl, except its feet and head, in the wax in the tank 84.

While I have shown only one tank 84, I preferably use two for the reasons already explained.

It will be lseen from the description of the modified form shown in Figure 8 that the waxing operation can be accomplished by lowering the fowl into the wax as well as by`raising the wax upwardly for immersing the fowl. i

It will be seen from the foregoing that Iyhave provided means for coating rthe fowls after they have been rough-pickedwith a wax-like subexpands, thus rocking the block Iand the stance, which is immediately cooled and may then be pulled off, carrying with itthe hair, pin feathers' and so forth. y

It will be noted that I have shown in Figure 8, fowls 10a supported with their backs down, while the fowl at Z is supported with its back up. I find the latter method of hanging the bird preferable because the' wax splits across the back of the bird a little better when the head is lowered for the dewaxing operation.

It will ,also ybe seen from the foregoing that the 4mechanism' for accomplishing this purpose can be modified in many respects, and it is my purpose. to cover by my claims any such modifications or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be included within'the scope of my claims and of my invention.

n will be observed that i have in the fore-- After the coating of wax has been applied, the l coated fowls are immediately subjected to a cooling step, by which the wax is hardened and set. After the cooling, the fowls come to the place Where the wax -is removed.

I have found that when the fowls are hung by both their heads and their feet during the application of the coating and are cooled while still so supported then when they are straightened out the coating breaks and can easily be pulled'off.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine for treating poultry, a conveyor, means for imparting movement to the conveyor, means for supporting fowls on the conveyor with their feet and heads above their bodies, and means for imparting to the bodies only of the fowls, while so supported on` the conveyor, and while they are'in one zone of their travel thereon a coating of adhesive wax-like Y pering tank to the waxing tank,.and back to the tempering tank, and means for maintaining the temperature in thetempering tank at substantially a predetermined point.

3. In a machinefor treating poultry, means for supporting fowls with their heads and feet above their bodies, means for subjecting the bodies of the fowls while so supported to an application of melted adhesive wax-like material, for coating the bodies, said means including a tank for holding the material, and means for causing the bodies of the fowls to be immersed in the material inthe tank.

4. In a machine for treating poultry, means for supporting .fowlswith .their heads and feet above their bodies, means for subjecting the bodies of the fowls while so supported to an application of melted adhesive wax-like material, for coating the bodies, said means including a tank for holdingy the material, and means for' causing the bodies of the fowls tobe immersed in the material in the tank, comprising means for raising and lowering the tank.

5. In a machine for treating poultry, means for supporting fowls with their heads and feet above their bodies, means for subjecting the bodies of the fowls while so supported to an application of melted adhesive wax-like material, for coating the bodies, said means including a tank for holding the material, and means for causing the bodies of the fowls to be immersed in the material in the tank, comprising means for lowering the bodies into' the material in the tank and raising them therefrom.

6. In a machine for treating poultry, a traveling conveyor, means for supporting fowls thereon with their heads and feet above their bodies,

a tank adjacent the path of travel of `the fowls so supported on the conveyor, adapted to hold melted adhesive wax-like material, means synchronized with the conveyor for, raising' the tank for causing each fowl body to be dipped in the material in the tank, and for then lowering the tank.

7. In a machine for treating poultry, a traveling conveyor, means for supporting fowls thereon with their heads and feet above their bodies, a tank adjacent thepath of travel of the fowls so supported on the conveyor, adapted to hold melted adhesive wax-like material, means synchronized with the conveyor for raising the tank `for causing each fowl body to be dipped in the of said material through the tank. l

8. In a machine for treating poultry, a traveling conveyor, means for supporting fowls thereon with their heads and feet above their bodies, a tank adjacent the path of travel of the fowls so supported on the conveyor, adapted to hold melted adhesive wax-like material, means synchronized with the conveyor for raising the tank for causing each fowl body toV be dipped in the material in the tank, and for then lowering the tank, and means for maintaining the material in the tank in liquid condition.

9. In a machine .for treating poultry, means for supporting fowls with' their heads and feet above their bodies, means for subjecting the bodies of the fowls while so supported to an application of melted adhesive wax-like material, for coating the bodies, said means including a tank for holding the material, means for causing the bodies of the fowls to be immersed in the material in the tank, comprising means for lowering the bodies into the material in the tank and raising them therefrom, and means for a'utomatically maintaining the level of the material in the tank.

10. In a machine for treating poultry, means for supporting fowls with their heads and feet above their bodies, means for\subjecting the bodies of the fowls while so supportedto an application of melted adhesive wax-like'material, for coating the bodies, said means including a tank for holding the material, and means for causing the bodies of the fowls to be immersed in the material in the tank, comprising means for lowering the bodies into the material in the tank, and raising them therefrom, and means for maintaining a constant flow of said material through the tank.

11. In a machine for treating poultry, means for supporting fowls with their heads and feet 100 above their bodies, means for subjecting the bodies of the fowls while so supported to an application of melted adhesive wak-like material, for coating the bodies, said means including a tank for holding the material, means for causing the bodies of the fowls .to be immersed in the material in the tank, comprising means for lowering the bodies into the material in the tank and raising them therefrom, and means for maintaining the material/in the tank in liquid 110 condition.

12. In -a machine for treatingpoultry, a conveyor, means for supporting fowls thereon by their feet for killing, means for subjecting the fowls to a slack scalding operation during their travel on the conveyor, means for drying the` fowls during such travel, located far enough from the slack scalding means to permit rough picking after the slack scalding and before the' cooling and drying, means for supporting the 

